Theoretical Foundation in the Study of Values

 The Meaning and Nature of Values

1. Carter V. Good Any characteristics deemed important because of
psychological, social, moral or aesthetic
consideration.
2. Jung and Piaget Refers to the stance that self takes to the total
environment as express through behaviors, ideas,
body, feelings and imagination.
3. Anthropologists and Sociologist Refer to those criteria according to which a
community judges the importance of persons,
patterns, goals and other sociological aspects of the
community.

4. Karl Marx “Labor Theory of Value” – Value of a thing is

determined by the labor time it contains.
5. G.E Moore Is a simple, unanalyzable term comparable in respect
to yellow or any other term of the kind. The indicator
of value is usually “Price.”
6. Olden time Refer to what were “good”
7. Homans Value Proposition Theory:
1. Actor
2. Rewarding Result
3. Repetition

Value is something which is held as important or is prized regarded as worthwhile by a The Self
is taken as the central dynamic force in human being that express itself through the totality of
the personality.
The following are taken as indicators of value:
(1) Ideas
(2) Feelings
(3) Body
(4) The outer behavior of the person

 The Process of Valuing

Louis Raths, et al. defined value or the process of valuing as having seven aspects and
made it clear that unless all the seven are present, then what person has chosen is not a value.
Values possess criteria which can be divided into three categories:
C- Choosing
1. To choose freely
2. To choose from alternatives
3. To choose from alternatives after considering the consequences of such alternatives
P- Prizing
4. To cherish and be happy with the choice
5. To be willing to affirm the choice publicly
A-Acting
6. To actually do something the choice
7. To act repeatedly to affirm the choice publicly.
 The value must be chosen freely and the person is totally accountable for the choice he/she
made. The choice must consider the consequence of the alternative evident. Essential to the
valuing is that the choice must be acted upon and should become part of the life of the person.
The person must be happy with the choice, a choice that enhances the emotional and spiritual
being development of that individual.
 The Four large areas of Value
 Value 1. Emotional Closeness and Security in a family
The home always provides love, understanding, acceptance, a place where no
matter how far or how wrongly one has wandered, he/she can always return. The
Filipinos are noted for manifesting close ties in the Family. As many Filipinos would say,
“There is no place like home.”
 Value 2. The Authority Values
This may be defined as “approval by the authority figure and by society.” A part
of the Filipino tradition is that children may marry only with the consent of the parents;
even when they elope, the parents are still expected to work for reconciliation. Authority
figures are feared and served with awe, but sometimes are not really loved. One looks at
authority figures for help in obtaining a job and other benefits.
 Value 3. Economic and Social betterment
This value refers to a desire to raise the standard of living of one’s life, or of one’s
hometown. Often it is repayment of one’s debt of gratitude to parents and relatives.
 Value 4. Patience, Suffering and Endurance
This value has been fused with the religious value since it seems that God is
called upon when other means fail. It is associated with women more than with men.
TOPIC II: The Phase Theory of Values
One theory explaining the process of valuing is the Phase Theory, influence greatly by
the thoughts of Ivan Illich, Paulo Freirey and Eric Fromm. According to this the values are
patterns of maturing behavior.
There are four phases of consciousness in value development.
 Phase One: The World is perceived as a mystery over the individual has no
control.
It is a hostile world in which the Self merely exists. Self is at the center and moral
choice is dictated by what physically satisfies the individual.
Stage 1. Satisfaction comes through survival in the environment on a day-to-day basis.
Stage 2. The Person has moved from purely physical to emotional needs that are physically
related.

 Phase Two: The world is universal

It is viewed no longer as alien and hostile, but a place in which to belong and
succeed. More choices are now based on social, rather than physical needs. Priorities
reflect what the person thinks society will approve.
Stage 1: Values are marked by the need to belong. Authority is direct authority, as in the case of
parents, children, boss, etc.
Stage 2: Personal values become institutionalized, reflecting the need to be competent and
successful in the world.

 Phase Three: The world is perceived as “creation process”.

In which persons are invited to make contributions. Moral choices for the first time
are shaped out of the conscious, out of personal decisions. The Self is motivated to be his
own self, to direct his own life, and to one’s own ideas and enterprises.
Stage 1: It is highly independent, and even self-seeking. There is a radical departure from the
other directedness.
Stag 2: There is heavy atmosphere of institutional duty and obligations.

 Phase Four: The consciousness of the self has expanded so that a person
may think globally, even cosmically. Individuals are always of a greater whole.

Stage 1: The individual’s perception of the world changes drastically.

Stage 2: Changes are experienced. Choices and actions are based on “WE” rather than “I”. The
moral imperative is to reshape the earth and take authority for created order, to grow to
intimacy, union with parents and God at the same time.